Introduction: Junkfood Science

One blog that I have been keeping up to date with recently has been Junkfood Science. Written by Sandy Szwarc, a qualified nurse, if focusses on the science and issues around obesity. The position of the blog is largely against the message delivered by governments that there is an obesity crisis that is threatening the health of the (western) world. The main points seem to be:

1. Obesity doesn't cause disease or medical conditions as is widely reported. It can be a marker for causes, but isn't one of itself.
2. In some situations, obesity can have positive health influences.
3. Highlighting the discrimination against the obese, including the negative effect that the 'war on obesity' has on this.
4. Indicating that the 'war on obesity' is a potentially large market, especially when reinforced by government campaigns.
5. That the obesity crisis is largely a false interpretation of the real situation.

Generally, the posts are well structured and written. Sandy Szwarc makes frequent references to studies and publications, and offers her analysis of their findings, which commonly run against the popular interpretations.

The clarity and apparent evidence base of these claims has caused me to consider the subject in greater depth. That the main emphasis of Junkfood Science runs against popular opinion, and the beliefs that I have been taught, and with apparently reliable evidence in support, have interested me a great deal.

I have briefly looked at some of the opposing views, some of which are very vehemently against Sandy Szwarc, but I think I will do so in much greater depth, and report what I discover here.

Monitor update

Two successes:

1. I found out how to run Doom 3 in custom resolutions.

Open DoomConfig.cfg in the Doom 3/base folder.
Change seta r_mode "-1"
This tells Doom 3 to use the custom screen size you are about to use:
seta r_customHeight "900"
seta r_customWidth "1440"
with the values the screen size you want.
seta r_fullscreen "1"
Will set fullscreen mode on (1) or off (0).

Thanks to this Doom 3 FAQ and TweakGuides for this.

2. I persuaded Pharaoh (and I hope Caesar 3) run in windowed mode - make sure that you are running in 16 bit colour mode and not 32 bit. Thanks to Heaven Games for that tip.

I think I have headed off my desire for a second monitor.

Monitor woes

When I purchased a new computer, I bought a separate system and monitor. Now, in my infinite wisdom, I went for a widescreen monitor. Unfortunately, this has had unforeseen consequences.

Being towards the bottom end of the monitor market, it doesn't support proper letter-boxing. Usually, non-widescreen television owners will see this as a problem with the almost ubiquitous use of widescreen broadcast these days; the black strips at the top and bottom of the screen. For me, it is a different issue. When the computer is outputting an image in the good old fashion 4:3 ratio (1024x768 for example), the monitor stretches it across its full width, distorting the image. Some monitors will put vertical black strips to the sides, so the image is shown in the correct proportions.

I play quite a few games, a large proportion of which are of quite an old vintage. Most of them only support resolutions in the 4:3 ratio. Some of these games (Doom 3 for example) will run in a window rather than full screen, so I can play them undistorted, but with the Windows desktop partially showing. However, a lot of my games won't run windowed, so if I want to play them, I have to do so with a stretched image. Which isn't very nice.

I have tried a number of devious solutions (virtualisation for example), but none have been successful. So now I am teetering on the edge of buying a second, 4:3, monitor. I have always wanted to run dual monitors, for the toy factor as much as anything, but it seems an expensive way to solve this problem. I also lack physical space.

The trials of geekdom.

Cathartic One

My mood seems level yet there is a block. I can't take action towards going to work. The long stretches of time behind the desk are terrifying. The visits and calls of people are moments of panic. Yet I know that I can deal with the people. I know that there is plenty of work to fill the time. Yet I am still blocked. Ever act seems so hard, yet it doesn't feel hard. It is odd not having the old angry mood to accompany these thoughts. That seemed more reasonable to give in to. This is just me trying to skip my responsibilities. But why am I so thwarted? I know me when I am being selfish and lazy; and this isn't me. Or am I trying to justify my laziness behind a believable excuse? I knew this would happen when I took my first sick day. Today am I really ill or just taking advantage?

I had hoped that writing this would have washed it out of me, or made the honest answer clear.

Reply to my e-mail

The reply to my e-mail from my local Liberal Democrat candidate. He failed to address my concerns, but he did answer within two hours, which was very good.

===

Dear Mr Duck,

Thank you for your e-mail.

You will have seen my regular Focus newsletters throughout the past four years that I have been your local councillor, and I have continued with this literature through the election campaign. All the leaflets are on recycled paper.

My aim is to keep in touch with local residents all year round, for example, to highlight local issues such as the Germany Beck development and the campaign for a pedestrian refuge.

On another note, I have been in communication with your neighbours about the planning application for [censored]. I am going to be making representations on their behalf to council officers, but welcome any comments you may have.

Kind regards,

Keith
----
Cllr Keith Aspden
Liberal Democrat, Fulford Ward
http://democracy.york.gov.uk/mgUserInfo.asp?UID=107